Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainable development has been defined as balancing the fulfilment of human needs with the protection of the natural environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future.

In our long term vision, this balancing should integrate all pillars of sustainable development.

Economic sustainability stresses the need to change from old sector-centred ways, of doing business to new approaches that involve cross-sectorial co-ordination and the integration of environmental and social concerns into all development processes.

Environmental sustainability is the process of making sure current processes of interaction with the environment are pursued with the idea of keeping the environment as pristine as naturally possible based on ideal-seeking behaviour.

Social sustainability occurs when the formal and informal processes; systems; structures; and relationships actively support the capacity of current and future generations to create healthy and liveable communities. Socially sustainable communities are equitable, diverse, connected and democratic and provide a good quality of life.